General Staff welcomes Maj.-Gen. Amir Eshel as new Air Force
commander. IDF Chief Gantz: Israel has the best air force in the
world

Maj.-Gen. Amir Eshel officially took office as Israel´s new Air Force
commander Thursday. Eshel will replace Major-General Ido Nehushtan,
who is retiring from IDF service after 37 years.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen Benny Gantz thanked Nehushtan for his
service and welcomed Eshel into office: "We have the best air force
in the world. It shoulders a strategic and significant
responsibility," he said.

The IAF chiefs´ rotation ceremony was held at the IDF´s Rabin Base –
the Kirya – in Tel Aviv, with Defense Minister Ehud Barak in
attendance.

"The Air Force serves as Israel´s chief deterrence force and its main
tactical arm," Barak said.

"The IAF is constantly vigilant, 365 days a year, nationwide and
across the globe, with one goal in mind – Israel´s security,"
outgoing IAF Chief Nehushtan said.
He further wished Eshel luck in his new post, adding that he
had "every faith that he can lead the IAF vis-à-vis any future
challenge."